Calendar of events

Jan. 21: KCAI will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 21 in Epperson Auditorium on the KCAI campus, 4415 Warwick Blvd. The event is free and open to the public. The program starts with a film entitled “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Historical Perspective,” and will be followed at noon by welcome remarks from Jacqueline Chanda, Ph.D., president of the college; Andrea Khan, registrar; and keynote speaker Charles Coulter, journalist and educator. Musical selections will be provided by the gospel choir of St. Therese Little Flower Parish. Birthday cake and punch will be provided. For more information, call 816-802-3435.

Jan. 31: KCAI continues its visiting artist lecture series, “Current Perspectives,” with a presentation by The Xijing Men: Chen Shaoxiong, Gimhongsok, Tsuyoshi Ozawa, at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 in Epperson Auditorium in Vanderslice Hall on the KCAI campus. The lecture is co-sponsored by the H&R Block Artspace at KCAI and Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. For more information, visit www.kcai.edu/currentperspectives or contact campus information at 816-802-3423.

Feb. 2-April 3: “The Xijing Men: Gimhongsok, Tsuyoshi Ozawa, Chen Shaoxiong” opens with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at the H&R Block Artspace at KCAI, 16 E. 43 St. This will be the inaugural North American exhibition of the internationally renowned Xijing Men and is a collaboration between the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas and Artspace. The group produces video art performances about the imaginary place of Xijing that was conceived as an idealized western capital, meant to complement three other directional capitals of East Asia: Beijing, the northern capital, Nanjing, the southern capital, and Tokyo, the eastern capital. For more information, call 816-561-5563 or visit www.kcai.edu/artspace.

Feb. 7: KCAI continues its visiting artist lecture series, “Current Perspectives,” with a presentation by KCAI faculty at 7 p.m. Feb 7 in Epperson Auditorium in Vanderslice Hall on the KCAI campus. Members of the KCAI faculty will discuss projects associated with recent grants. Presenters include Alison Heryer, instructor of fiber; Marty Maxwell Lane, assistant professor of graphic design; Hugh Merrill, professor of printmaking; Phyllis Moore, Ph.D., associate professor and director of The School of Liberal Arts; and Brett Reif, associate professor of foundation. For more information, visit www.kcai.edu/currentperspectives or contact campus information at 816-802-3423.

Ron Cattelino to retire after 42 years at KCAI

When Ron Cattelino, executive vice president for administration at KCAI, retires on Friday, Feb. 15, he will have been with the college for 42 years. Cattelino joined KCAI in 1971, only a few months after completing a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. As the decades unfolded, his first job became his only job.

“The board of trustees wanted to hire a recent college grad with an accounting degree and train that person to take over as CFO, because they were aware that the CFO at the time wanted to retire in a few years,” Cattelino said. ‘I was most fortunate to walk into a situation where the retiring CFO had been at KCAI for 25 years. I learned much from working with an experienced college CFO.”

John Lottes was president of KCAI when Cattelino began his career here. Dick Dodderidge, a member of the board of trustees, stepped in as interim president when Lottes moved on, and then Cattelino worked with subsequent presidents George Parino, Beatrice Rivas Sanchez, Kathleen Collins and now Jacqueline Chanda. In all, he has worked with six KCAI presidents. He even served as interim president himself from 1995 to 1996, between Sanchez and Collins.

“The most rewarding experience for me that year was leading the commencement walk with then board chair Janet Miller and handing out diplomas to graduating seniors. What a great feeling it was to do so,” he said.

Reminiscing about his friendships with faculty over the years, he recalled that when he joined KCAI, Wilbur Niewald, Ken Ferguson and Dale Eldred were chairs of painting, ceramics and sculpture, respectively.

“I got to know each of them personally, and I have many fond memories of time spent with each,” Cattelino said. Ferguson would personally tour the end-of-semester exhibitions with him, guiding him as to which student’s work to buy. “One year I purchased about 12 items, intending to give them out as Christmas gifts,” Cattelino recalled. “When I got home, I set them all out on the table. They were all very nice pieces, and I decided I had to keep them all. So then I had to go out shopping for other gifts.”

Thinking back over his accomplishments, Cattelino said he felt he had made his largest contributions to KCAI’s growth and profitability by working closely with colleagues in charge of the college’s two main revenue sources: enrollment management (including financial aid) and advancement (fundraising).

“Much has been accomplished, particularly in the last 16 years,” he said. “I worked closely with KCAI’s presidents and board treasurers in restoring and maintaining the college’s financial position. During the last 16 years, enrollment has increased by more than 40 percent; an investment of more than $25 million has been made in campus improvements; the endowment has quadrupled to $45 million; annual fundraising has doubled; net assets have increased from $17 million to $69 million; and the college has experienced 12 consecutive years of balanced budgets.”

In 2011, Cattelino was recognized for these accomplishments and more when he was named an honoree in the Kansas City Business Journal’s CFO of the Year awards competition.

In addition to overseeing the college’s financial affairs, Cattelino has had responsibility for safety and security, human resources and auxiliary enterprises such as the Art Supply Store. He also has interacted with many of the college’s major donors, from individuals to corporations and foundations. His affiliation with this four-year college of art and design has meant much more to Cattelino than number-crunching.

“While I might have an accounting degree, working at KCAI has enriched my life and my appreciation for all forms of art,” he said. “As a matter of fact, when my wife and I travel overseas, I always have two mailing tubes with me, and I usually come back with prints to display. On a few occasions, an item was too large, and I had to ship it back to Kansas City.”

In addition to having more time for travel, Cattelino looks forward to spending more time with his two young grandchildren and exploring opportunities for volunteer service. Pictured: Ron Cattelino.

Vice president for administration to start Feb. 1

Rick Rieder, vice president for finance and business affairs and board treasurer at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., has been appointed vice president for administration at the Kansas City Art Institute, effective Feb. 1. He will replace Ron Cattelino, executive vice president of administration, who retires Feb. 15 after 42 years with KCAI.

Rieder holds an M.B.A. degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., a master’s degree in music from Oklahoma City University and a bachelor’s degree with a double major in business and music from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan.

At KCAI, Rieder will be responsible for financial oversight of the college. In addition, he will oversee facilities, safety and security, human resources and the college’s auxiliary enterprises.

“After a nationwide search, Rick Rieder was our top candidate,” said Jacqueline Chanda, Ph.D., president of KCAI. “In terms of background and experience, he fits our needs perfectly. He has depth of experience from a variety of educational environments, both public and private, that will help him hit the ground running. He also has been a consultant and evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission, one of our two accrediting bodies, and this is another asset he brings to the table.”

Prior to joining Millikin, Rieder was vice president for finance at Malone University in Canton, Ohio, and before that he was vice president for finance and CFO of Greenville College in Illinois. He also has held business and administrative positions at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.; Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pa.; and Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn. Pictured: Rick Rieder.

President Chanda is honorary chair of Artists Coalition auction

Jacqueline Chanda, Ph.D., president of KCAI, is the honorary chairperson of the Kansas City Artists Coalition 30th annual benefit art auction, which will take place Feb. 16 at KCAC headquarters, 201 Wyandotte St. Wilbur Niewald (B.F.A. ‘49 and M.F.A. ’53 painting), professor emeritus of painting at KCAI, is the featured artist. His 1997 painting “KC View of Roundhouse,” valued at $11,000, will be auctioned in a sealed-bid process. For more information about KCAC and the auction, visit www.kansascityartistscoalition.org. Pictured: “KC View of Roundhouse” by Wilbur Niewald.

CPS to host Wayne Wilkes exhibition

The School for Continuing and Professional Studies is hosting an opening reception for the Wayne Wilkes (’95 illustration) exhibition “Kansas City” on Friday, Feb. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibition runs through March 29 at KCAI’s North Campus, 1801 NW Platte Road, Suite 275. Wilkes is an instructor for CPS and the B.F.A. program. The campus is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. throughout February. Pictured: “Western Auto Building,” Wayne Wilkes, oil on canvas, 36 inches by 60 inches.

Vincent and Monique Buffile to host hands-on weekend workshop

In a partnership to bring international programs to the community at a reduced fee, Red Star Studios and KCAI present Vincent and Monique Buffile for a hands-on weekend workshop on screen-printing and slab construction. The two-day workshop is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 2-3 at the Belger Crane Yard Studios, 2011 Tracey Ave. The cost is $40, and it is open to all skill levels. The Buffiles will share a variety of techniques related to the application of photographic imagery onto clay slabs. Participants will apply learned processes and techniques, manipulating the slabs into unique art works. For more information about the workshop or to enroll, call studio manager Tommy Frank at 816-474-7316, or tfrank@redstarstudios.org. Pictured: Vincent Buffile.

Longview hosts high school fine arts competition

The MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center, 500 SW Longview, presents its fourth annual high school fine arts competition and exhibit, The Lee's Summit Fine Arts Challenge, featuring the works of fine arts students from the three Lee's Summit high schools. An opening reception and awards ceremony is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 24. Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call Daniel Reneau at 816-604-2238.

Angel Tree Program and Harvesters Food Drive a success

This past holiday season, KCAI teamed with The Salvation Army for the Angel Tree Program and Harvesters for its annual food drive. More than 215 pounds of food was donated, turning into 164 meals in the Kansas City area, and 36 angels, noting what gift each child wanted for Christmas, were purchased. “Through the support of our KCAI family, we were able to give families that are less fortunate a very special Christmas,” said Amy Gross, special events assistant. “For all those who participated, they deserve a huge thank you for their generosity. And a special thank you to Tanya Sieber and Great Western Dining for supporting staff and faculty with breakfast on Dec. 6 for those who donated during the food drive.”

Alumni updates

Skye Livingston (‘12 fiber) will have work featured in "Corner to Corner and Head to Toe," an exhibition opening Feb. 1 at The Carter Center for Visual Arts and Imaging Technology on the MCC-Penn Valley campus, 3201 Southwest Trafficway. The show runs through March 3. Livingston’s work emphasizes healing as a continuous process by referencing the figure through use of skin-like materials and imagery. Gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and 6 to 9 p.m. on First Fridays. For more information, call 816-604-4278. Pictured: "MAL Figure No. 2," Skye Livingston, 2013, hand-dyed silk organza, 50 inches by 12 inches by 7 inches. Image courtesy of the artist.

Rachel Hayes (’99 fiber) will give a presentation from 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 28 about work she has created in the fiber department during the winter intersession. According to Pauline Verbeek-Cowart, chair of fiber, Hayes was invited to be an artist-in-residence this month to allow her to work on a major public art project that will be installed this spring in the Washington, D.C., area. Hayes worked with several student interns to complete the project. One or more of her pieces will be installed in the fiber department gallery, located in The Warehouse, 4218 Walnut, and will be on view for her presentation. Pictured: Work by Rachel Hayes taking shape in the Warehouse; photo courtesy of Pauline Verbeek-Cowart.

Calls for artists

The Allied Arts Council is accepting entries for the 2013 Trails West!® artwork competition through Feb. 1. The winning artist receives a $500 cash award, and the winning artwork should embody the spirit of the Trails West! 2013 theme: “170 Years of Innovation.” The 2013 festival marks the 170th birthday of St. Joseph, Mo. Complete rules and application form are available online at www.trailswest.org or call Ashley Spalding at the Allied Arts Council, 816-233-0231 for more information. Trails West! is an outdoor arts festival, hosted by the Allied Arts Council, celebrating the cultural heritage of St. Joseph, Mo. The 2013 festival is scheduled for Aug. 16-18 at Civic Center Park.

P&M Artworks seeks entries for its second annual juried exhibition. Works in a variety of media are welcome, responding to the theme "Money." Submissions are due Feb. 8 and will be reviewed by guest jurors EG Shempf, Patricia B. Glenn, Michael J. Pronko, M.D., and David Immenschuh. Artists will be notified by Feb. 18, and the show will open April 5 at the Leedy-Voulkos Arts Center. Three cash prizes will be awarded best-in-show exhibitors: $600 for first place, $400 for second place and $200 for third place. For more information, visit www.pm-artworks.com/blogs/news/7134500-money-a-juried-exhibition.

Kansas City Voices, an annual magazine that publishes a mix of fiction, essays, interviews, articles, poetry and art, is seeking submissions for its 2013 publication. Entries may include poetry, prose and art, and must be submitted by March 15. Submissions are accepted online. For more information, visit whisperingprairiepress.submittable.com/submit.

Local KCAI-related exhibitions

Grand Arts – "A Strenuous Nonbeing," featuring works by Anthony Baab ('04 painting), opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 18 at Grand Arts, 1819 Grand Blvd. A gallery talk with the artist is scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 19.The exhibition is the culmination of Baab’s three-year collaboration with Grand Arts and will include works of photography, décollage, drawing and a live video feed from an undisclosed location in the city. The show continues through March 30. For more information about Babb and his work, visit anthonybaab.com/home.html. For more information about Grand Arts, visit www.grandarts.com/. Pictured: Untitled by Anthony Baab, 2012, inkjet print.

Garney Art – David DeRousseau ('84 painting) will show a series of paintings entitled "Skylines & Streetscapes" from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 1 (First Friday) at Garney Art, 1922 Main St. At 2:30 p.m. Feb. 2, by reservation, he will give an artist talk and demonstration. DeRousseau's work has been featured in a number of exhibitions nationwide, including most recently the Wade Gallery in Santa Fe, N.M.; the Kempf Gallery in Chicago; the Kansas Masters Invitational at the Strecker-Nelson Gallery in Manhattan, Kan.; Thornhill Gallery at Avila University; and the H&R Block Artspace at KCAI. For more information, or to reserve a seat for the Feb. 2 presentation, call 816-842-3388. Pictured: "KC Skyline: Cambridge Circle #2," oil on canvas by David DeRousseau

Red Star Studios – Guy Michael Davis (‘03 ceramics) and Katie Parker (‘03 ceramics), both of whom teach at the University of Cincinnati, are returning to Kansas City to install site-specific work at the Belger Arts Center and Red Star Studios. They are creating new work using archival molds found at the Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati. The exhibition runs through Jan. 26 at Red Star Studios, 2100 Walnut St. For more information about the exhibit, contact Michael Baxley at mbaxley@redstarstudios.org or 816-474-7316.